On To The Next One: James Burgess Jr.

Per Liz Mullen of SBJ and shared via the man himself on Instagram, Cleveland Browns linebacker James Burgess has signed with Rosenhaus Sports for his representation. He will be represented by Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.

The news comes after the second-year linebacker out of Louisville tallied a career-high 16 tackles in a Browns loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although undrafted in 2016, Burgess is taking advantage of his opportunity on the field due starter Jamie Collins going down with a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season.

Burgess signed with the Miami Dolphins after the 2016 NFL Draft and spent time on the Dolphins, Chargers and Jaguars’ practice squads before joining the Browns’ practice squad at the end of 2016. He has played in eight games this season, mostly filling in for Collins’ when he was in the concussion protocol, and also started three. He has tallied 39 tackles, 3.0 sacks forced one fumble.

Currently on a two-year contract, he will be an exclusive-rights free agent (ERFA) after the 2018 season. This designation is for players with two or fewer seasons of service time. The Browns could tender Burgess a one-year qualifying offer for the league minimum salary that he essentially must sign. As an ERFA, he has no negotiating rights with other teams and can either sign it or sit out the entire season. Enter Drew Rosenhaus. By signing with the game’s “super agent” Burgess will likely seek more than the league minimum of $645,000 for players with two years’ service.